Copyright-safe music for YouTube: claims, strikes and what to use

A claim is not a strike, and "copyright free" is often not free. What YouTube really does when you use music, where to find safe tracks, and how to dispute without risking your channel.

Updated 29 October 2026 · 10 min read · By Videxa Editorial Team

What is the difference between a copyright claim and a copyright strike?

A claim is an automatic match; a strike is a legal removal. Most panic about copyright comes from mixing these two up, so it helps to see them side by side.

Community Guidelines strikes are a third, separate thing. They come from breaking YouTube's own rules, not from a rights owner, and a first problem is usually only a warning.

What happens when my video gets a claim?

Often, very little. YouTube's own answer to "am I in trouble?" is "probably not". Many music owners let their songs be used in exchange for running ads on your video. The owner chooses whether to monetise, track or block, and the choice can be different in different countries.

The big exception is Shorts. A Short longer than one minute with an active claim of any type is blocked everywhere: it cannot be played, recommended or monetised. There is no penalty to your channel, and the Short becomes viewable again once the claim is resolved.

If you think a claim is fair, you have three ways to clear it without uploading again: erase the song (mute just the song or all audio), trim out the segment, or replace the song with a track from the Audio Library. YPP members whose music is claimed may also be able to share revenue with the music publisher.

What happens when I get a copyright strike?

The video is removed and YouTube emails you from [email protected] with the reason and your options. Here is the ladder:

• One strike: the content is removed. Complete Copyright School, a short set of 4 questions, and the strike expires 90 days after it was applied.
• Two strikes: the same, each with its own 90 days.
• Three strikes in 90 days: your account and linked channels are subject to termination, and you cannot create new channels.

You can also resolve a strike by asking the person who filed the request to retract it, or by submitting a counter notification if you believe the removal was a mistake. If a live stream is removed for copyright, live streaming is also restricted for 7 days. Deleting the video does not remove a strike, except when the request was "scheduled", which gives you 7 days to delete and avoid it. The email tells you if that applies.

Is "copyright free" music really free?

Often not, and YouTube is blunt about it. It says only music and sound effects from the Audio Library are known to it to be copyright-safe, and that it is not responsible for problems with "royalty-free" music from other YouTube channels or music libraries.

Each myth comes from YouTube's own pages. Its fair use page says giving credit does not turn a copy into fair use, that there are no "magic words", and that "for entertainment purposes only" is unlikely to help. It also warns that even a few seconds of a popular song can bring a claim that stops you monetising that video. Its dispute page lists giving credit, owning a copy of the song and choosing not to monetise as reasons that are not valid for a dispute.

What about fair use?

Fair use is a concept from US copyright law, decided by courts case by case, often for commentary, criticism, teaching or news. It is not automatic, and Content ID cannot decide it. YouTube notes that other countries have their own exceptions, some called fair dealing, which may work differently, and that it considers local rules when it reviews removal requests.

This post does not explain Indian copyright law, and it is not legal advice. If your video truly depends on someone else's song, film clip or cricket footage, speak to a qualified lawyer first. For everyday videos, the simpler answer is to use music you are allowed to use.

How do I use the YouTube Audio Library?

It takes two minutes and works on any channel, monetised or not.

1. Open it

   Sign in to YouTube Studio and select Audio library from the left menu, or go straight to youtube.com/audiolibrary.

2. Filter for your mood

   In the Music tab, filter by genre, mood, artist, duration and attribution. A cooking vlog might try "Bright" or "Happy"; a calm study video, "Calm". Sound effects have their own tab.

3. Pick "Attribution not required" to keep it simple

   Tracks with a Creative Commons licence must be credited in your description. The Audio Library gives you the credit text to copy. If you would rather skip that step, filter for tracks that do not need attribution.

4. Star your favourites and download

   Click the star to save tracks to your Starred tab, then download the MP3 and add it in your editing app. New tracks are added twice a month, so check back.

If you are in the YouTube Partner Program, you can monetise videos that use Audio Library music and sound effects. Our guide to YouTube monetisation requirements in India covers how to get there.

If you use a Creative Commons track, Videxa's Write gives you a clear description with your links; paste the Audio Library's credit line under it. For the rest of the description, our description template helps.

Can I use Bollywood songs in my Shorts?

Sometimes, through YouTube's own tools, and within limits. YouTube's Shorts help page says you can use any song available in the Shorts audio library, most for up to 90 seconds in a 3 minute Short, though some tracks are limited to 60 or 30 seconds. When you pick a sound in YouTube's tools, it shows how many seconds it will cover.

Adding a film song in an outside editing app and uploading the finished file is different. YouTube asks that any copyright-protected material in a Short you made elsewhere be approved for your use on YouTube, and warns that it can lead to a claim or, after a valid takedown notice, a strike. Remember too that a claimed Short over one minute is blocked.

How do I dispute a claim properly?

Only when you have a valid reason. YouTube lists three: you have all the necessary rights to the content, your use qualifies as a copyright exception such as fair use, or the video was misidentified.

To dispute, open YouTube Studio, select Content, filter by Claims, hover over Claims in the Restrictions column, click See details, then under Content used choose Take action and Dispute. The claimant then has 30 days to respond. They can release the claim, reinstate it, let it expire, or submit a copyright removal request. If that request is valid, the video is removed and your channel gets a strike.

If your dispute is rejected, you may be able to appeal, and the claimant then has 7 days to respond. For claims that block your video, Escalate to Appeal can skip the first step. A dispute cannot be cancelled once you submit it, so read it twice.